Phototherapy devices for treatment of dermatological disorders of the scalp

Abstract

Modulated light therapy devices for treatment of dermatological disorders of the scalp are provided. An exemplary device includes a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) supporting at least one light emitting device having an emitter height. The FPCB includes multiple interconnected panels and bending regions defined in and between at least some of the interconnected panels as to allow the FPCB to be configured in a concave shape to cover at least a portion of a cranial vertex of the patient. At least one light-transmissive layer proximate to the FPCB is configured to transmit (e.g., incoherent) light emissions generated by at least one light emitting device. At least one standoff is configured to be arranged between the FPCB and the scalp of the patient, wherein the at least one standoff includes a standoff height that exceeds the emitter height.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A phototherapy device for delivering light emissions to a scalp of a patient, the phototherapy device comprising:
 a cap comprising a cap proximal surface and a cap distal surface, the cap comprising an electronics receptacle at the cap proximal surface;   a flexible substrate comprising a proximal surface and a distal surface that is opposite the proximal surface, the flexible substate being configured for positioning along the scalp such that the proximal surface is closer to the scalp than the distal surface and the distal surface is closer to the cap proximal surface than the cap distal surface;   an array of light-emitting devices on the proximal surface;   an electronics subassembly on the distal surface, the electronics receptacle configured to receive the electronics subassembly;   a control printed circuit board within the electronics subassembly, the control printed circuit board comprising driver circuitry configured to drive the array of light-emitting devices, the driver circuitry being arranged on the distal surface;   an electronic connection port extending from the cap distal surface to the cap proximal surface, the electronic connection port providing mechanical and electrical connectivity to the control printed circuit board; and   a wireless transmitter configured to communicate with an external device.   
     
     
         2 . The phototherapy device of  claim 1 , wherein the wireless transmitter is configured to communicate signals related to at least one of cycle usage and enabling the patient to purchase additional usage. 
     
     
         3 . The phototherapy device of  claim 1 , wherein the wireless transmitter is configured to communicate with an application downloaded to the external device. 
     
     
         4 . The phototherapy device of  claim 1 , wherein the wireless transmitter is configured to communicate with the external device via Bluetooth, WiFi, or Zigbee. 
     
     
         5 . The phototherapy device of  claim 1 , wherein the electronics receptacle is mechanically coupled to the electronic connection port and the electronics subassembly. 
     
     
         6 . The phototherapy device of  claim 5 , wherein the electronics receptacle is configured for at least one of wired communication and receiving electrical power. 
     
     
         7 . The phototherapy device of  claim 1 , further comprising a proximity sensor and a microcontroller, the proximity sensor configured to trigger the microcontroller to an active state and signal the driver circuitry to initiate operation of the array of light-emitting devices. 
     
     
         8 . The phototherapy device of  claim 7 , wherein the microcontroller is configured to check for wireless signals during the active state. 
     
     
         9 . The phototherapy device of  claim 7 , wherein the microcontroller is configured to receive input from a user input button. 
     
     
         10 . The phototherapy device of  claim 7 , wherein the microcontroller is coupled to at least one of a speaker or a liquid crystal display. 
     
     
         11 . A phototherapy device for delivering light emissions to a scalp of a patient, the phototherapy device comprising:
 a cap comprising a cap proximal surface and a cap distal surface, the cap proximal surface forming an electronics receptacle;   a flexible substrate comprising a proximal surface and a distal surface that is opposite the proximal surface, the flexible substate being configured for positioning along the scalp such that the proximal surface is closer to the scalp than the distal surface and the distal surface is closer to the cap proximal surface than the cap distal surface;   an array of light-emitting devices on the proximal surface;   a temperature sensor;   an electronics subassembly on the distal surface, the electronics receptacle configured to receive the electronics subassembly;   driver circuitry within the electronics subassembly, the driver circuitry configured to drive the array of light-emitting devices and a boost circuit configured to increase voltage to the array of light-emitting devices, the driver circuitry further configured to reduce current to the array of light-emitting devices based on a signal from the temperature sensor, the driver circuitry and the boost circuit being arranged on the distal surface; and   an electronic connection port attached to the electronics receptacle from the cap distal surface, the electronic connection port providing mechanical and electrical connectivity to the driver circuitry.   
     
     
         12 . The phototherapy device of  claim 11 , wherein the driver circuitry is arranged on the distal surface in a position that is opposite at least a portion of the array of light-emitting devices. 
     
     
         13 . The phototherapy device of  claim 11 , further comprising a microcontroller configured to control the driver circuitry to modify or terminate operation of the array of light-emitting devices in response to an excess temperature condition detected by the temperature sensor. 
     
     
         14 . The phototherapy device of  claim 13 , wherein the excess temperature condition comprises a threshold temperature of greater than 42 degrees Celsius. 
     
     
         15 . The phototherapy device of  claim 13 , wherein in response to the excess temperature condition, the microcontroller is configured to continue operation of the array of light-emitting devices until a timer of the microcontroller terminates operation. 
     
     
         16 . The phototherapy device of  claim 13 , further comprising a proximity sensor, the proximity sensor configured to trigger the microcontroller to an active state and control the driver circuitry to initiate operation of the array of light-emitting devices. 
     
     
         17 . The phototherapy device of  claim 16 , wherein the microcontroller is configured to check for wireless signals during the active state. 
     
     
         18 . The phototherapy device of  claim 11 , further comprising a wireless transmitter configured to communicate with an external device. 
     
     
         19 . The phototherapy device of  claim 18 , wherein the wireless transmitter is configured to communicate with an application downloaded to the external device. 
     
     
         20 . The phototherapy device of  claim 11 , wherein the electronics receptacle is mechanically coupled to the electronic connection port and the electronics subassembly, wherein the electronics receptacle is configured for at least one of wired communication and receiving electrical power.